A General Survey Of Telesurgical Advances In Otolaryngology

Telesurgery is a division of telemedicine that involves distances ranging from several feet to many miles between the surgeon and patient. This technique is facilitated by devices such as the da Vinci (R) Surgical System, which allows the surgeon to manipulate instruments at a console while viewing high-resolution imaging of the patient. The surgeon's motions are then translated into precise movements of robotic instruments. Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery is uniquely positioned to exploit significant advancements in telesurgery. This article aims to assess the latest innovations in each of the seven subspecialties of otolaryngology: head and neck oncology, laryngology, facial plastic surgery, otology/neurotology, rhinology, and pediatric otolaryngology. At the present, telesurgery has promising applications for the future, but there are several challenges to implementation including design, cost, and legal issues.